Electromagnetic therapy device and methods

Abstract

Systems and techniques for applying an electromagnetic field to bodily tissue include a self-contained and portable electromagnetic field generating device disposed over a surface of bodily tissue such that the radiated electromagnetic fields impinge upon the bodily tissue. The device includes an electromagnetic field generator, which is coupled to an antenna that is arranged to radiate the electromagnetic field. A power source is coupled to the generator to provide power for the device and an activator is used to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field. Methods of inducing electrical current in bodily tissues and treating disorders, such as pain-related disorders, are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable, self-contained medical therapeutic device comprising:
 an electromagnetic field generator; 
 an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate the electromagnetic field; 
 a battery coupled to the generator; 
 an annular ring surrounding the battery; 
 a wire wound around the annular ring; and 
 an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field, 
 wherein the device is adapted to be disposed over a bodily tissue to induce an alternating current in the bodily tissue and promote at least one of communication between cells or cellular stimulation. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises antenna conductors on a printed circuit board. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the annular ring has a stepped cross-section and wherein the wire wound on a top and outer side of the annular ring is coupled to the antenna conductors. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the annular ring comprises a ferrite ring. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the annular ring comprises an insulating-magnetic ring. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alternating current induced in the bodily tissue is parallel or perpendicular to the direction of antenna conductors. 
     
     
       7. A method of inducing electrical current in a bodily tissue, the method comprising:
 positioning the device of  claim 1  adjacent a bodily tissue of an individual; and 
 operating the device for a duration, at a frequency, and at a peak available radiated power density effective to induce electrical current in the bodily tissue, wherein the device is positioned relative to the individual such that the device induces electrical current in the bodily tissue without making conductive contact with the bodily tissue. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein operating the device comprises causing radiation of a pulsed electromagnetic field having a frequency of 27+- 0.5 MHz. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein operating the device comprises causing radiation of an electromagnetic field having a peak available radiated power density of less than 100 microwatts per square centimeter measured at the surface of the bodily tissue. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reducing a pain sensation in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein positioning the device comprises positioning a delivery system. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein positioning the delivery system comprises positioning a patch, bandage, pad, brace, strap, tape, adhesive, or cast. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein positioning the delivery system comprises positioning a single use adhesive bandage. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising pulsing the generated electromagnetic field. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising altering at least one of a duty-cycle and a pulse repetition rate of the pulsed electromagnetic field. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising altering the duty cycle between approximately 8%-10%. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 7  further comprising operating the device for a duration, at a frequency, and at a peak available radiated power density effective to elicit a therapeutic response in the individual. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reducing pain associated with a pain-related disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reducing inflammation in a bone, joint, soft-tissue, or connective tissue disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reducing pain associated with a bone, joint, soft-tissue, or connective tissue disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 7  further comprising reducing pain associated with a dental condition in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 7  further comprising reducing pain associated with an arthritic disorder. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 7  further comprising reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis of the with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 7  further comprising reducing nausea and vomiting associated with post-surgical recovery, chemotherapy, or motion sickness with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       25. A method of treating an individual, the method comprising:
 providing a device comprising an electromagnetic field generator, a battery coupled to the generator, and an annular ring surrounding the battery; 
 positioning the device adjacent a bodily tissue of an individual; and 
 operating the device for a duration, at a frequency, and at a peak available radiated power density effective to elicit a therapeutic response in the individual, 
 wherein the device is positioned relative to the individual such that the device induces electrical current in the bodily tissue of the individual without making conductive contact with the bodily tissue, and wherein the device effects a penetration of the induced current into the bodily tissue such that the therapeutic response is elicited at a depth of at least 2 cm in the bodily tissue. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25  further comprising eliciting the therapeutic response at a depth of at least 3 cm in the bodily tissue. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25  further comprising eliciting the therapeutic response at a depth of 2 to 3 cm in the bodily tissue. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 25  further comprising reducing pain associated with a pain-related disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 25  further comprising reducing inflammation associated with a bone, joint, soft-tissue, or connective tissue disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 25  further comprising reducing pain associated with a bone, joint, soft-tissue, or connective tissue disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 25  further comprising reducing pain associated with a dental condition in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 25  further comprising reducing pain associated with an arthritic disorder in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 25  further comprising reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in the individual with the induced electrical current. 
     
     
       34. A method of treatment, the method comprising:
 providing a device selected from the group consisting of a pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) apparatus, a transcutaneous electrical neural stimulator (TENS), and a static magnet array; 
 positioning the device at a distance from an individual effective to elicit a therapeutic response in the individual, wherein the device is positioned at a bodily location selected from the group consisting of the external end of the elbow transverse crease, the depression at the lower border of the malleolus lateralis, below the lateral extremity of the clavicle at the level of the first intercostals space, between the fourth lumbar vertebra and the fifth lumbar vertebra or 1 inch to the right or left thereof horizontally, a depression anterior or inferior to the head of the fibula, about 1.5 inches above the medial border of the patella, and between the radius and the palmaris longus; and 
 maintaining the device at the bodily location for a duration effective to elicit the therapeutic response; 
 wherein the therapeutic response includes the reduction of pain. 
 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34  further comprising reducing pain associated with a disorder selected from the group consisting of adhesive capsulitis, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, back pain, multiple sclerosis, tendon inflammation, and carpal tunnel syndrome. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the device is a PEMF apparatus. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the device is a TENS. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the device is a static magnet array. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the device comprises:
 an electromagnetic field generator; 
 an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate the electromagnetic field; 
 a power source coupled to the generator; 
 an annular ring surrounding the power source; 
 a wire wound around the annular ring; and 
 an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field, 
 wherein the device is self-contained and portable.